Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-03-24

II had become fashionable among the
girls not to shoW their drawings. nor
to reveal the subjects to each other.
There was mystery in the air. and it
added to the excitement Chatty Ark
wright was more worn and pale with
anxiety every day. and as Dilly put the
finishing touches to her picture,
Chatty's face would rise before her and
chill all her glowing pride. She
couldn't keep Chatty out Of hex
thoughts.
The afternoon before the drawings
were to be sent in to the judges. Chatty
ran out and called billy as she was GO
ing by. She had her drawing ia her
hand.
II must chow it 20 you. billy. !
want you to tell me honestly whether
you think yours is better or not Eou
can't understand how much difference
it makes to me. There doesn't seem
to be any chance for me unless ! can
be an artist"
| Oily took the drawinginto her hand.
1t was group of horses and . colt
the colt! Josh Haight's colt. There
was no installing the long delicate
limbs and the graceful spirited arch
Of the neck.
Josh Raight let me go over TO his
pasture and draw them. Isn't the colt
beauty? Josh promised not TO Jet
anybody else draw him. Did you draw
The cow and calfs il yours better than
miner"
The drawing WIS very well done, but
it was not so good as her ONn; the
touch WAS a little timid; it vas not 90
free and spirited AZ hers.
There vas . pause, in which il seemed
to billy that her hearts beating was
choking her.
You mustn't ask me; I'm not one
Of the Judges" she said at length,
with little forced laugh, and she
thrust the drawing into Chatty's hands
and ran away.
When she reached home she shut
herself into her room, and took out the
unfinished sketch Of Crumple and her
calf. 'It might as we'll be finished,
anyway" she said to herself.
She was long time the next morn
ing in making preparations to carry
her drawing to the Academy, where
there was holiday, and nothing going
on but the examination of drawings,
which were all to be handed in before
ten o'clock. She kept her two draw
ings on her table. and kept looking at
them while she was dressing. Little
| TheOphilus, the youngest OF the nine,
watched her, with childish wonder at
her unusual silence. When she was
ready she laid one Of the drawings
away in IA drawer, shutting her lips as
| tightly together as she shut the drawer,
and took the other in her hand.
It was II beautiful April morning.
The next Sunday would be Easter, and
every thing seemed TO know it; but
Dilly's face was clouded. When she'
reached the little bridge over Creeping
Brook she heard p shouting behind her.
sgd was running after her. waving
something in his hand. You're the
carelessest girlr' he painted. ''IfThofy
hadn't seen youtake the wrong picture,
you might not have got it there in
time"
Dilly's heart beat quickly It was
not too late now 20 win the prize. But
~ took the one / meant TO-" she
said. ''Oh, Syd!"-her voice broke
almost into tears now couldn't
bear to win The prize away from Chatty
ArkwYight; is makes 50 much difference
TO hertz
''If that isn't che most ridiculous
thing ! ever heard OFF, exclaimed Syd,
with tremendous emphasis. ..Hssn't
she had a fair chance? is it your fault
il she can't draw ~ well as you canl /
can tell you that isn't the way things
are done in this world"
10 was OF no Use 60 argue against
Syd's worldly wisdom. She wished she
had told Margery. Marsery saved
up" but she would have understood.
al have right to do rs please, and
You have no right to interfere" said
Dilly. drawing herself up.
sgd look ed thoroughly surprised; it
was a new thing for billy to- be self
asserting; and although his face was
like thunder-cloud, he did not try to
hinder Oily. as, after one last look at
her pretty drawing, she tore it-lest her
resolution should fail-into little bits,
and threw the bits over the railing into
Creeping brook.
"You'H never amount to much, i" said
sgd, turning on his heel.
Creeping brook was not creeping To-
day. 1t felt spring in every one OF it's
drops. and it swirled the precious pieces
around. and tossed them gayly along
toward the ruill-pond. where the great
wheel would suck them down.
Oily, watching, and choking back
the great sob in her throat. did NOT
once think that che had made an Easter
offering. bst am sure che Recording
Angel did.